An attorney who has represented a dozen clients horribly injured when red plastic gas containers exploded says the Colorado Civil Justice League’s notion that “lawsuit abuse doomed an American icon” is simply untrue.

That’s the title of a speech scheduled to delivered Friday by Rocky Flick of Blitz USA, which manufactured the gas containers until filing for bankruptcy. Flick is the keynote speaker at the Civil Justice League’s annual luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Four Season Hotel’s Cottonwood Ballroom. The group will honor lawmakers who demonstrate a “commitment to personal responsibility and consumer freedom.”

Attorney Diane Breneman of Kansas City disputed the statement from CCJL president Mark Hillman that Blitz was driven out of business by “personal injury lawyers who convinced courts and juries” that Blitz was liable when a “handful of ill-advised customers” poured gas on an open flame.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.